THUNDERSTORM HAZARD DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 1 LOCATION .............................................................................................................................. 1 EXTENT................................................................................................................................... 1 HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES .......................................................................................... 3 SIGNIFICANT PAST EVENTS .................................................................................................... 4 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE EVENTS .............................................................................. 5 VULNERABILITY AND IMPACT ....................................................................................... 5 Hazard Description Thunderstorms are generally considered a common occurrence in the CVCOG Region. Typical thunderstorms are 15 miles in diameter and last an average of 30 minutes. Despite the short time span, thunderstorms can be extremely dangerous, as they are often strong and fast in their approach and can be accompanied by flash flooding, lightning, hail, tornadoes, and high winds. Location Thunderstorms are geographically random, making it impossible to predict where they will strike. Thus, it is assumed that the CVCOG Region is uniformly exposed to the threat of thunderstorms. Extent A thunderstorm is measured in terms of intensity based on the strength of the wind speeds or significant winds associated with the thunderstorm event. Table 6-1 depicts intensity for thunderstorms according to wind magnitude published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). C O N C H O V A L L E Y H A Z A R D M I T I G A T I O N P L A N U PDATE Thunderstorm Table 6-1. Beaufort Wind Scale1 WIND WMO FORCE APPEARANCE OF WIND EFFECTS (KNOTS) CLASSIFICATION 0 Less than 1 Calm Calm, smoke rises vertically 1 1-3 Light Air Smoke drift indicates wind direction, still wind vanes 2 4-7 Light Breeze Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, vanes begin to move Leaves and small twigs constantly moving, light flags 3 8-12 Gentle Breeze extended Dust, leaves, and loose paper lifted, small tree branches 4 13-18 Moderate Breeze move 5 19-24 Fresh Breeze Small trees in leaf begin to sway 6 25-31 Strong Breeze Larger tree branches moving, whistling in wires 7 32-38 Near Gale Whole trees moving, resistance felt walking against wind 8 39-46 Gale Whole trees in motion, resistance felt walking against wind 9 47-54 Strong Gale Slight structural damage occurs, slate blows off roofs Seldom experienced on land, trees broken or uprooted, 10 55-63 Storm "considerable structural damage" 11 64-72 Violent Storm If experienced on land, widespread damage 12 73+ Hurricane Violence and destruction A thunderstorm event is typically defined by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) based on the intensity and magnitude of wind events associated with the thunderstorm, which can affect the planning area randomly. Because the magnitude of a thunderstorm does not take into account wind speeds from a tornado (for specific information on tornado, see Section 8), but specifically significant winds, the extent to which it can affect the planning area is a range from a Force 10 to a Force 12. On average, an intense wind event to be mitigated for each of the jurisdictions could have wind speeds over 50 miles per hour, a Force 9 from the Beaufort Wind Scale. Since the greatest wind speed recorded for the area is 87 knots (See Table 6-2), in preparation for a thunderstorm, the extent to be mitigated is a Force 12. 1 Source: World Meteorological Organization CVCOG | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | Page 2 Thunderstorm Historical Occurrences Table 6-2 lists previous thunderstorm events as compiled by the NCDC. It is important to note that only thunderstorm events that have been reported have been factored into this risk assessment, and in most cases NCDC data is limited to severe thunderstorm events that are noteworthy for specific reasons (high winds, deaths, injuries, property or crop damages, lightning strikes). It is likely that a high number of thunderstorm occurrences have gone unreported over the past 50 years. Records retrieved from NCDC are reported for the jurisdiction named in Table 6-2. Remaining NCDC records for a county were considered in the total for county events and maximum recorded wind speed. Table 6-2. Historical Thunderstorm Events by Jurisdiction, 1950-2010 NUMBER OF MAXIMUM WIND JURISDICTION REPORTED EVENTS SPEED (KNOTS) Coke County 47 76 Bronte 8 52 Robert Lee 23 76 Uninc. Coke County 16 - Concho County 36 65 Eden 10 61 Paint Rock 7 61 Uninc. Concho County 19 - Crockett County 23 70 (No Incorporated Cities) 23 70 Irion County 21 80 Mertzon 11 80 Uninc. Irion County 10 - Kimble County 26 84 Junction 10 61 Uninc. Kimble County 16 - McCulloch County 55 70 Melvin 3 61 Uninc. McCulloch County 52 - Menard County 22 87 Menard 0 0 Uninc. Menard County 22 - Reagan County 19 70 CVCOG | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | Page 3 Thunderstorm NUMBER OF MAXIMUM WIND JURISDICTION REPORTED EVENTS SPEED (KNOTS) Big Lake 4 52 Uninc. Reagan County 15 - Schleicher County 25 65 Eldorado 20 65 Uninc. Schleicher County 5 - Sterling County 18 61 Sterling City 11 61 Uninc. Sterling County 7 - Sutton County 11 80 Sonora 4 55 Uninc. Sutton County 7 - Tom Green County 195 81 San Angelo 55 75 Uninc. Tom Green County 140 - TOTALS FOR STUDY AREA 498 87 Significant Past Events 29 May 1996 – Irion County The storm brought wind, hail and a small tornado to the Town of Mertzon. Nearly every building was battered; 50 percent of all homes and 25 businesses were damaged in this 778- person town. Two homes were completely destroyed. There were no serious injuries other than people being cut by glass. 20 February 1997 – Tom Green County Strong winds occurred in the San Angelo area during a heavy rain and flash flood event. A wind gust of 56 knots (65 mph) was recorded at Mathis Field and a gust of 69 mph was reported at Highland Range near O.C. Fisher Lake. The damaging winds then spread north from the City of San Angelo to the rural communities of Quail Valley and Grape Creek, where a gust of 65 mph was reported at Quail Valley. Storm damage in and around the City of San Angelo included downed fences, signs, and tree limbs. The drive-through section of a bank was severely damaged, and ATM machines destroyed, when the ceiling of the carport fell. Several other businesses suffered roof damage. There were also some power outages in the area. CVCOG | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | Page 4 Thunderstorm 27 May 2002- Coke County The second severe thunderstorm of the day that moved across Robert Lee produced winds up to 80 mph causing damage to numerous houses and carports. Numerous severe thunderstorms formed over the Big Country, Concho Valley and the Heartland. Especially hard hit was the City of Robert Lee. Two severe thunderstorms moved through Robert Lee causing damage to homes and vehicles. The city, as well as other portions of Coke County, was without power for much of the night. There were several reports of high winds accompanied by hail to the size of tennis balls over eastern portions of the Concho Valley. There was also a tornado near the upper end of E.V. Spence reservoir. The tornado remained over open country and produced no damage. Probability of Future Events Available data was evaluated in order to provide an expected frequency of thunderstorms, potential loss estimates, a description of vulnerability, and a statement of impact of thunderstorm events. The probability of occurrence for future thunderstorms in the CVCOG Region is highly likely, meaning it is likely of a storm event occurring within the next year. According to the NCDC reported historical occurrences, counties within the CVCOG Region experience a severe storm eight times a year. Given this regular frequency of occurrence, it can be expected that future thunderstorms will continue to threaten life and property throughout the planning area. Vulnerability and Impact Vulnerability is difficult to evaluate since thunderstorms can occur at different strength levels, in random locations, and can create relatively narrow paths of destruction. Due to the randomness of this event, all existing and future structures and facilities in the planning region could potentially be impacted and remain vulnerable to possible injury and/or property loss from lightning, hail and strong winds associated with thunderstorms. Lightning damage can result in electrocution of humans and animals; vaporization of materials along the path of the strike; fire caused by the high temperature produced by the strike; and sudden power surges that can damage electrical and electronic equipment. Millions of dollars of direct and indirect damages result from lightning strikes on electric utility substations and distribution lines. While property damage is the major hazard associated with lightning, it should be noted that CVCOG | Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | Page 5 Thunderstorm lightning strikes kill nearly 100 people each year in the United States2. Impact quantified by reported thunderstorm events were estimated as described in Section 4, Risk Overview. Table 6-3 below summarizes the total reported property and crop losses by jurisdiction. Total losses reported when considered over the 60 year recording period provides an expected annual loss ranging from zero to over $1.6 million in damages sustained